DANIEL BLAISDELL.
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decisions were regarded as just and right.
In twenty-one years eleven children were born to him. More than eighty years ago a tax was levied by the legislature which was very burdensome to some of the new towns. Caleb Seabury was said to have been the occasion of it. He was sent to Exeter as a representative. He thought he could signalize his term of office by assuring the legislature of the great wealth of Canaan. Its soil yielded spontaneously and enriched its people. The effect of this speech, or talk, was the passage of the law which burdened the people with taxes. The next year Mr. Blaisdell was sent to Exeter to ask for the modification of the law. He told them that it was true that the lands of Canaan were exceedingly rich and fruitful. It was like all other new soil upon which the timber forests had been reduced to ashes. If they would make wheat, and rye, and corn, legal tender for taxes, it would relieve the people greatly, but there was no money and no market for their commodities. Lands, cattle, hogs, ashes, grain, &c, were the circulating medium. Nearly all purchases were made by way of exchange. In this way he pleaded with them, until they consented to modify the law, which greatly pleased the people, and made him more popular than ever.
Before Mr. Baldwin left town Mr. Blaisdell had passed through the mysterious process which men call "a change of heart, had joined the new Baptist church, and was ever afterward a consistent Baptist, and advocate for the stated preaching of the gospel." His manner of stating his opinions was somewhat diffuse, and like a small piece of butter on a large slice of bread, was a good deal spread out. He sometimes stated it thus: " We believe that the preaching of the gospel was instituted by the all-wise Governor of the universe, as a means whereby to communicate his special grace to a ruined world; and we believe, also, that a regular, peaceful gospel, tends to promote good order, and strengthen the bonds of society." He was prominent in all the services of his church, and also in all the connections of his party. As a Christian, the Baptist church was his strong tower; a belief in its tenets could alone save lost souls. His political faith was as fixed and unalterable as his religion. The great Federal party had the immortal Washington for its head, and through that organization, alone, could our free institutions be perpetuated. It was the sacred privilege of Federalists to hate Thomas Jefferson and his Democracy, as it was the duty of Baptists to avoid the devil, and flee from the wrath to come. These two principles governed all his actions in religion and politics. His first appearance in public life was as a legislator at Exeter. His sturdy sense and fearless expression of opinions attracted attention and won the applause of his party. He enjoyed the honors he was winning, and had vivid dreams of future greatness. Several years he was elected a senator, and five times he was elected councillor, and one term he served in Congress in 1809-11. While in Congress he was an active partisian, and opposed all measures involving the peace of the country. He was an aggressive politician, and many times came in conflict with the leaders of the war party. Being a rough debater, with few courtesies of speech, he received from John Randolph the sobriquet of "Northern Bear," a title which clung to him all the days of his life.
I insert here two original letters, which have lain perdu for two generations. The spelling is a little unusual, also the use of capitals, showing defects in his early education. These I have taken the liberty to correct. The first letter might, with propriety, be made to refer to scenes and events of more recent date, and both exhibit, in strong light, the unyielding nature of the man.
